SINGAPORE
Malware interferes with PS applications
People applying for jobs in the Singapore Public Service may have had their information compromised after a malware infection was found in the software run by the Australian-based HR provider.
Users of the Careers@Gov online portal have been informed of the malware breach by email.
“At this stage, the vendor has not seen further sign of suspicious activity,” the email said.
“The malware has been contained and the threat eradicated.”
The portal is run by Australian HR software provider PageUp, which counts universities, banks and the Tasmanian Government among its clients.
Singapore, 12 June 2018
HONG KONG
Unions unhappy with pay offer
Unions representing Hong Kong’s Public Servants say they are unsatisfied with a 4.51 per cent pay rise, calling for 5 per cent instead.
The increase is based on results of a survey that tracked salary trends in the private sector over the past year.
A Government spokesperson said factors such as the state of Hong Kong’s economy, the cost of living and the Government’s financial position had been taken into account.
However President of the 120,000-strong Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants’ Association, Li Kwai-yin said the Government had a huge surplus and the economic outlook was good.
“We have been asking for a 5 per cent raise, and that is only another 0.49 percentage point,” Mr Li said.
Hong Kong, 8 June 2018
NORTHERN IRELAND
PS to take up top office space
In what has been described as one of the largest office transactions in the Province, the Northern Ireland Public Service has signed up for almost 14,000 sqm of Grade A space in a newly revamped building in central Belfast.
A Department of Finance spokesperson said the lease would allow the public sector to consolidate operations from various locations across the city.
“This will ensure our assets are more efficiently managed and help to realise some significant cost savings,” the spokesperson said.
The building, at Nine Lanyon Place, was the first Grade A office space to be built in Belfast following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
It was completed in 2000 and has just been upgraded.
Belfast, 13 June 2018
FIJI
Public backs PS retirement age
A poll of Fijians has found that a majority favour retaining the Public Service retirement age of 55.
Some 60 per cent of those polled said the retirement age should remain as it is; 21 per cent wanted it increased to 60 and 19 per cent were unsure.
All opposition political parties have said the age should be raised to 60, but the ruling Fiji First Government says there will be no change.
A General Election is due in the country this year.
Suva, 10 June 2018
GUYANA
Ministers disagree on soldier’s leave
A dispute has broken out between two Ministers over the placing of the former head of Guyana’s SWAT Unit, Motie Dookie on compulsory special leave.
Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall said the action by Minister for Citizenship, Winston Felix was illegal.
However, Mr Felix hit back, challenging Mr Nandlall to take the matter to court.
Mr Dookie was accused of smuggling 30 cases of whisky in December last year; however, the driver of the vehicle he was in at the time of the interception took full responsibility.
Mr Felix said the decision to send Mr Dookie on special leave on full pay was done in accordance with Public Service rules and was in the public interest.
Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service, Reginald Brotherson was not available for comment.
Georgetown, 9 June 2018
CZECH REPUBLIC
EU critical of Czech PS sacking law
The Czech Republic Government has been criticised by the European Commission (EC) over legislative amendments that would make it easier to sack senior Public Servants.
The Brussels-based EC, the executive arm of the European Union, sent the Czech Minister of the Interior a letter expressing grave concern over some of the amendments proposed.
The letter specifically mentioned the proposed process for sacking PS staff in managerial positions on the grounds of a performance assessment that was simply “adequate”.
The amendments are currently before the Czech Parliament.
Prague, 8 June 2018
MALAYSIA
PS union backs English language tests
The union representing Malaysian Public Servants has thrown its weight behind a newly introduced English language competency test.
The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Service (Cuepacs) said the test was needed so that PS employees, especially at senior levels, could communicate effectively during meetings with foreigners and when travelling abroad for official duty.
President of Cuepacs, Azih Musa said good English proficiency in the Public Service would improve Malaysia’s standards locally and globally.
Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad said proficiency tests for top PS staff would begin soon.
Kuala Lumpur, 11 June 2018
NIGERIA
Governor confirms PS purity campaign
The Governor of the southern Nigerian State of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson has vowed to continue his campaign to eliminate age and certificate falsification as well as ghost workers from the Public Service, warning culprits to leave the system before they are detained.
He said there was no going back on the current reforms, which were playing a crucial role in building the State’s economy.
Mr Dickson said the reforms were targeted at workers who were due for retirement but refused to leave, age falsifiers, and certificate forgers.
“If your name is on the payroll and you don’t go to work, we will remove it,” Mr Dickson said.
“The era of overaged workers has gone and we cannot allow workers with fake degrees.”
Yenagoa, 9 June 2018
